TOBE TEK SINGH: The Pakistan-China Joint Lab for Artificial Intelligence and Smart Agriculture has been established at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) to promote modern agriculture trends to raise productivity.

UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan and Dr Wu Jun, CEO of CAS Cogniser, inaugurated the lab followed by a seminar on artificial intelligence and smart agriculture by the Precision Agriculture Lab.

National Aerospace Science and Technology Park Project Director Tauseefur Rahman, Pakistan Meteorological Department Director-General Sahibzada Khan, Dean of Sciences Dr Ijaz Ahmad Bhatti, Centre for Advanced Studies Director Dr Sultan Habibullah, Precision Agriculture Lab In Charge Dr Saqib Ali and others were present.

Addressing the participants, Dr Iqrar said we can increase production and minimize the cost of production by promoting data science, drone technology and other smart agriculture technology in the sector. He added that in 25,000 villages in Punjab, if drone technology for spraying is introduced on rent, it will help raise productivity, lower the cost of production and bring health benefit for the farming community.” He mentioned, “Farmers spray the fields with shoulder-mounted machines, provoking health hazards and wastage.”

Dr Wu Jun said that along with advanced research in the lab, steps will also be taken to bring technology to farmers that will improve agriculture.

Mr Rahman said that to develop agriculture in the country on modern lines, it is necessary to strengthen industry-academia linkages to achieve food self-sufficiency by bringing modern research to the doorsteps of farmers. He added that his organization is taking all possible steps to bring innovation in agriculture.

Sahibzada Khan said a Kissan Weather mobile application has been launched and all possible measures are being taken. Mushtaq Gill said there is a wide system of agricultural market in India, we also have to create a system to avoid the exploitation of farmers from the middlemen.

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2024